Ubuntu Alternatives

Ubuntu is described as 'community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more' and is a leading operating system in the os & utilities category. There are more than 100 alternatives to Ubuntu for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, BSD, Self-Hosted solutions and Electrum. The best alternative is Linux Mint, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Ubuntu are Debian, Manjaro Linux, Fedora and Arch Linux.

Ubuntu alternatives are mainly Operating Systems but may also be Linux Distros. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Ubuntu.

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Ubuntu

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Free • Open Source
Operating System

Linux
Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It...

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Linux Mint
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No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
219 alternatives to Linux Mint
Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people. The purpose of Linux Mint is to produce a modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use. Latest: Vera (21.1).
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Linux Mint Features
1. Ad-freeLinux Mint doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
2. No TrackingLinux Mint will not track you or use your personal data.
3. LightweightLinux Mint consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Dark ModeLinux Mint supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
Customizable
Windows-like
Based on Ubuntu
Support for Nvidia drivers
Debian package compatible
Cinnamon Desktop
Linux-based
User friendly
Out Of The Box
Based on Debian
Linux Mint vs Ubuntu opinions
Almost everyone thinks Linux Mint is a great alternative to Ubuntu.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
CeesT
More polished and Windows-like than plain Ubuntu. Cinnamon comes with Nemo which shows file creation dates as well as modification dates.
Top positive comment•
2

yugalsaluja
Easy to use, nice look and feel, do great out of box except some non-free drivers and multimedia codecs...
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3

Guest
I love linux mint! Easy to use, easy to setup and i love the design!
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0

franklinwang36
It has no enough technical support. Do settings as in slackware?
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0

Guest
Derivate of it, comes most close to it
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2

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5 of 14 comments
Debian
Do you think this is a good alternative?
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No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Windows
Linux
Windows S
BSD
Self-Hosted
229 alternatives to Debian
The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system that we have created is called Debian.
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Debian Features
1. Rolling ReleaseDebian supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. No TrackingDebian will not track you or use your personal data.
3. LightweightDebian consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. Privacy focusedDebian is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Ad-freeDebian doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Customizable
Low memory usage
Package Control
Based on Debian
Debian vs Ubuntu opinions
Most users think Debian is a great alternative to Ubuntu.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
johndoee
ubuntu is based on debian (debian is the father of ubuntu)
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7

JohnFastman
Ubuntu and it's derivatives (Mint, Kubuntu, KDE Neon, ElementaryOS, Xubuntu, Lubuntu) are all based on Debian. All are compatible with .deb software packages. All are easier than Ubuntu to setup. But Debian has a greater loyalty to the ideals of free and open source software.
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12

Guest
It doesn't let you install proprietary drivers and doesn't have a GUI to manage these drivers like Ubuntu or Mint has, due to its philosophy. That's a thing people forget to mention when saying Debian is the option for Ubuntu or even Mint, so it isn't.
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7

OpenCored
Indetronable Debian. Solid as a rock, beautiful as a truck (that's a French expression, don't look for it), reliable and up to date. Perfect for beginners, or those who just want an easy to use free operating system. The + : huge community all over the world and linux distribution on which many other distributions are based.
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campbellbrendene
Very fast and responsive compared to Ubuntu, especially at boot. Core packages are updated more frequently than on Ubuntu, also.
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3

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Manjaro Linux
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Arch Linux
239 alternatives to Manjaro Linux
Manjaro is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on the independently developed Arch operating system. Within the Linux community, Arch itself is renowned for being an exceptionally fast, powerful, and lightweight distribution that provides access to the very latest cutting...
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Manjaro Linux Features
1. Rolling ReleaseManjaro Linux supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. LightweightManjaro Linux consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. No TrackingManjaro Linux will not track you or use your personal data.
Based on Arch Linux
Arch User Repository
Customizable
User friendly
Community-based
Linux-based
Out Of The Box
Clean design
Simple installation
Support for Nvidia drivers
Manjaro Linux vs Ubuntu opinions
Almost everyone thinks Manjaro Linux is a great alternative to Ubuntu.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
JohnFastman
Manjaro Linux has got the point where it's more user friendly than Ubuntu, in my opinion. Particularly in the XFCE (official) and MATE (community) builds, the pamac/pacman package manager is utterly great to use and draws software not just from Manjaro repositories but from Arch's AUR, which has something like 60k+ software apps. Despite being based on Arch, Manjaro is very user-friendly and the community support is fantastic.
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18

mlemmark
A good distribution, but often breaks during an update, to use it, you need to be aware of new changes in their forum. It says it's for newbies, but it doesn't differs so much from Arch. Since it's a rolling-release/bleeding-edge distribution, it is not as stable as Linux Mint, Ubuntu and so on.
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5
Guest
Arch-based 2. Easy to install 3. Care about stability even being a rolling release kind of distro 4. It has GUIs for installing kernel, drivers and complex language packs 5. It has Pamac which is the most complete package manager/store in the Linux with supports and have access to the official repo, AUR, snap and flatpak. 6. it has different desktop environments for your taste 7. Good performance on games 8. It has minimal versions for tinkers.
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10
Guest
Manjaro Linux has a pleasant environment for the new user. It is also a great option for those who have a computer with basic hardware.
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3

Guest
Best alternative for gaming. No data collection. (Ubuntu collects user data.) Manjaro has a very friendly community: https://forum.manjaro.org and +manjaro:matrix.org Manjaro is rolling release, Ubuntu has to be reinstalled (as distro version upgrades usually doesn't go well). Manjaro has more software available in the Software Manager than Ubuntu.
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Fedora
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
221 alternatives to Fedora
Fedora creates an innovative, free, and open source platform for hardware, clouds, and containers that enables software developers and community members to build tailored solutions for their users.
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Fedora Features
1. No TrackingFedora will not track you or use your personal data.
2. Privacy focusedFedora is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeFedora doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Rolling ReleaseFedora supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
5. LightweightFedora consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Out Of The Box
Linux-based
Customizable
Wayland Support
Unix-like
Multiple languages
Support for BTRFS
FOSS
Separated workspaces
Key rebinding
Fedora vs Ubuntu opinions
Most users think Fedora is a great alternative to Ubuntu.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
VB22
Secure, has the latest features, well maintained...just great!
Top positive comment•
2

9y0xwefhpw
Albeit Fedora is supported by bigger company (Red Hat), it does not spy on users like Ubuntu. Fedora comprises only freedom software except for firmware (which can be resolved by freed-ora) unlike Ubuntu. Cleaner upgrade than Ubuntu.
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7

Guest
It doesn't have proprietary codecs and drivers pre-installed like Ubuntu. It's hard to install it, not for newbies.
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11

mlemmark
It's not as stable as it's Ubuntu, it often breaks during an update, its package manager is just to slow to search, install and update packages when compared to APT (Debian/Ubuntu) or Pacman (Arch/Manjaro). Fedora is a distribution focused for testing, for developers, not for normies.
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Guest
it sues the same interface snap can run on it and openjdk and java se rduntimeare just as buggy on it than ubuntu
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0

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Arch Linux
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
215 alternatives to Arch Linux
Arch Linux is an independently developed, i686- and x86_64-optimised GNU/Linux distribution targeted at competent Linux users. It uses pacman, its home-grown package manager, to provide updates to the latest software applications with full dependency tracking.
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Arch Linux Features
1. Rolling ReleaseArch Linux supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. LightweightArch Linux consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. No TrackingArch Linux will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Ad-freeArch Linux doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
5. Privacy focusedArch Linux is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Customizable
Arch User Repository
Wiki documentation
Minimalistic
Community-based
Bleeding edge
Linux-based
FOSS
Package Control
ARM support
Arch Linux vs Ubuntu opinions
Some users think Arch Linux is a great alternative to Ubuntu, some don't.
JohnFastman
Arch is not a distro for Linux beginners: you really have to know what you're doing to set it up and keep it ticking over. Ubuntu is beginner friendly. However, check out Manjaro - that's Arch-based but done in a user friendly way that's maybe even friendlier than Ubuntu.
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18
Guest
It doesn't have a proper graphical install 2. Arch community doesn't like newbies and treat them like crap 3. Everything is command line based 4. There are not helpers for newbies, the distro uses the KISS philosophy, is minimalistic and not user-friendly like Ubuntu 5. It uses the rolling release and bleeding edge model, so it's kind easy to break thing due the huge quantity of updates weekly.
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5
Guest
It is simple and light, and doesn't have any of the problems that Ubuntu has, and that all *buntus have as well. Also it uses pacman.
Positive comment•
-8
elementary OS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
228 alternatives to elementary OS
elementary OS is a free, fast and aesthetically pleasing operating system based on Ubuntu .
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elementary OS Features
1. Lightweightelementary OS consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Distraction-freeelementary OS has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
macOS-like
Based on Ubuntu
Debian package compatible
Configurable
Flatpak
App center
Consistent UI
Out Of The Box
Unix kernel
elementary OS vs Ubuntu opinions
Most users think elementary OS is a great alternative to Ubuntu.
Guest
Delivers a beautiful graphical interface. Offers basic apps to play your music, videos and view pictures, designed around 'Less is more'. However, it is still based on Ubuntu, and so it can do the same things. Need advanced functionality? whip out the terminal and install any package supported by Ubuntu.
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11

Guest
It's Ubuntu-based, however you cannot use PPAs, there is no way to install .deb packages by clicking, you need to download stuff from their Store to make it work and the newbies won't know it. It's very limited in customization, takes a long time to make new versions compared to Ubuntu is always late in updates. It lacks many applications which isn't good when you try to make a OS for newbies.
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10

mlemmark
They are "open source" but makes everything to act as they weren't by not letting users fork their store, their DE, their applications easily in other distros. They want a walled garden where only their distro has such features. This is why you don't see other distros using their DE, their "curated" set of applications. It's everything (mostly) stuck in their distro and when you try to install it elsewhere, it demands stuff that only works in their system.
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5

Guest
It treats flatpak as dangerous and makes the users afraid to download non-curated apps. The distro also doesn't allow the user to customize or change the theme without needing to add third-party stuff that isn't even on the official repos (on purpose) and often breaks each new version.
Negative comment•
5

JohnFastman
Elementary and Ubuntu are Debian-based Linux distros. Elementary OS is based on Ubuntu. Different UIs (Elementary uses Pantheon, Ubuntu uses Unity). If it work on Ubuntu, it will work on Elementary. But Elementary are a team of designers and lag behind in terms of security. It's also oversimplistic for anyone but complete beginners in Linux.
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3
openSUSE
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
218 alternatives to openSUSE
openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server.
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openSUSE Features
1. Rolling ReleaseopenSUSE supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
2. Ad-freeopenSUSE doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. No TrackingopenSUSE will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Privacy focusedopenSUSE is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Kde support
Customizable
User friendly
Linux-based
Community-based
openSUSE vs Ubuntu opinions
Some users think openSUSE is a great alternative to Ubuntu, some don't.
Guest
It doesn't have proprietary codecs and drivers installed by default like Ubuntu. To use it, you need some knowledge and it's very limited in packages compared to Debian and Arch-based distros.
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11

mlemmark
Patterns are the main reason for me to not recommend openSUSE for people that want to have full control on what is installed and doesn't like a bloated system
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1

Guest
openSUSE is so hard for newbies that people have created Gecko Linux (as an user-friendly and out-of-the-box derivate of openSUSE).
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6
Xubuntu
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
201 alternatives to Xubuntu
Xubuntu is an elegant and easy-to-use operating system. Xubuntu comes with Xfce, which is a stable, light and configurable desktop environment. It is based on Ubuntu Debian Linux.
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Xubuntu Features
1. LightweightXubuntu consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
XFCE support
Based on Ubuntu
Based on Debian
Xubuntu vs Ubuntu opinions
Almost everyone thinks Xubuntu is a great alternative to Ubuntu.
Guest
Xubuntu is nothing more than Ubuntu with the XFCE desktop environment and fewer included packages. I think it's far superior because it's faster than easier to use than Ubuntu.
Positive comment•
8

JohnFastman
Xubuntu is Ubuntu in almost every way. The difference is that instead of Ubuntu's Unity desktop, you get the XFCE desktop, which - in my opinion - is much better. But it's certainly faster on older/slower computers.
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6

mlemmark
Linux Mint Xfce makes a better alternative which a set of apps that makes sense, a great system updater, GUI to manage kernels, GUI to help fixing bugs, especially related to the repository. Mint also respect the user privacy, doesn't force snap, let the user have the choice. Mint Xfce has custom theme and user-friendly look-and-feel.
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3
Kubuntu
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
228 alternatives to Kubuntu
Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.
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Kubuntu Features
1. No TrackingKubuntu will not track you or use your personal data.
2. Privacy focusedKubuntu is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Ad-freeKubuntu doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Based on Ubuntu
KDE
Customizable
Based on Debian
User friendly
Desktop Application
Kubuntu vs Ubuntu opinions
Almost everyone thinks Kubuntu is a great alternative to Ubuntu.
JohnFastman
Kubuntu is simply Ubuntu with the KDE Plasma desktop environment instead of Unity. KDE Plasma is a very well thought-through, modern and highly configurable desktop environment that beats Windows 10 and OSX hands down. Note: KDE Plasma (and hence Kubuntu) might not run smoothly on quite old/slow computers.
Top positive comment•
3

RemovedUser
Kubuntu is basically Ubuntu but with the KDE Plasma desktop, which gives a feel of Windows, highly recommended.
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1

dgfigueroa29
KDE is faster than GNOME and more customizable too
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0

Guest
It's full with bloatware and telemetry services.
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-11

Guest
All Ubuntu-like, with the AWESOME K Desktop Enviroment
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-1
Tails
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Electrum
Tor Browser Bundle
GNOME
Tor
VeraCrypt
Thunderbird
116 alternatives to Tails
The Amnesic Incognito Live System (Tails) is a Debian 9 based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the user. The product ships with several Internet applications, including web browser, IRC client, mail client...
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Tails Features
1. Privacy focusedTails is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. No TrackingTails will not track you or use your personal data.
3. Ad-freeTails doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. LightweightTails consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. PGP EncryptionTails supports PGP, an encryption system used for sending encrypted emails and files.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Tails without registration.
Tor
Booting from USB
Online Anonymity
Security focused
Based on Debian
Compatible with TrueCrypt
Support for TOR
RAM Scraping Protection
Lock screen controls
Cold Boot Protection